Ninety-nine teams of two from across the United States competed in activities, which included 10k runs, M16 rifle disassembly, complex rope knot-tying and a dummy grenade throwing test.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Kansas University ROTC students Howard Ballard, left, and Justin Patterson work their way through an obstacle course along with 250 University ROTC cadets from across the U.S. who gathered at Clinton Lake on Saturday April 2, 2011, for the 17th annual Ranger Buddy Competition. Two-person teams from 21 colleges and universities competed in runs, M16 rifle disassembly, complex rope knots, and a dummy grenades throwing test and other categories.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Jordan Bucher, 21, from the University of Minnesota was one of 250 University ROTC cadets from across the U.S. who were at Clinton Lake on Saturday April 2, 2011, for the 17th annual Ranger Buddy Competition. Two-person teams from 21 colleges and universities competed in runs, M16 rifle disassembly, complex rope knots, a dummy grenades throwing test and other categories.

photo by: Richard Gwin

One of several mothers watched as over 250 University ROTC cadets from across the U.S. gathered at Clinton Lake on Saturday April 2, 2011, for the 17th annual Ranger Buddy Competition. Two-person teams from 21 colleges and universities competed in runs, M16 rifle disassembly, complex rope knots, and a dummy grenades throwing test.

photo by: Richard Gwin

Kansas University seniors Justin Patterson and Howard Ballard, foreground, along with other ROTC cadets climb up a hill on Saturday for the 17th annual Best Ranger Buddy Team Competition at Clinton Lake. Ninety-nine teams of two from across the United States competed in activities, which included10k runs, M16 rifle disassembly, complex rope knot-tying and a dummy grenade throwing test.